Talaq written on plain paper

Question

A man, owing to a dispute over ornaments, gives his wife named Khadija talaq three times in the presence of the community council, separates her from his marriage and says: “Now I have no connection with you.” He does not write this out as a divorce deed on stamp paper in accordance with the government’s law; instead, he has it written on plain paper in the presence of witnesses — seventeen Muslim persons — and puts his thumbprint on it.

Answer

According to the Shari‘a, talaq takes effect by saying it with the tongue, whether he puts it in writing or not; it does not depend on writing. Further, whether he writes it on plain paper or on stamp paper, in either case the talaq takes effect.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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